Cooper Metals Ltd (ASX:CPM) has begun drilling at its Mt Isa East Copper-Gold Project, focusing on several “compelling geochemical and geophysical targets” within the Ardmore South area.
Roughly 2,000 metres of reverse circulation (RC) drilling will test induced polarisation (IP) and geochemistry targets along a 1.5-kilometre trend.
Of the targets identified, those considered high priority include a strong IP chargeability anomaly recently discovered at Ardmore South, which measures 500 metres in length and is thought to have strong depth potential.
Prioritising anomaly
“RC drilling has now commenced at Ardmore South, where we are prioritising a strong IP chargeability anomaly with coincident copper-gold anomalism,” Cooper Metals managing director Ian Warland said.
“Drilling should take around three weeks with assay samples to be fast-tracked through the Mt Isa laboratory in batches.”
Cooper Metals unveiled the results of its IP survey in April, which confirmed the depth potential of the chargeability anomaly at Ardmore South.
An IP pole-dipole (PDP) line completed through the centre of the anomaly also determined the structure is almost vertical, dipping steeply to the west, and extending to a depth of more than 200 metres.
Expedited drilling
“The new pole-dipole IP line has confirmed the impressive depth potential of the IP chargeability anomaly announced earlier this month at Ardmore South,” Warland said in April.
“With the chargeability response open at depth beyond 200 metres, it validates the effort that the company has put into this area and presents a compelling drill target for copper-gold mineralisation.”
With the successful completion of the surveys, along with the completion of necessary heritage assessments and drilling contracts, Cooper Metals elected to bring the drilling program forward a week.
In addition to the drilling work, the company intends to carry out rock chip sampling at Ardmore South and Ardmore North.
- By Oliver Gray